Avoiding a Jonesboro Rear-End Accident
A total of 93 percent of rear-end accidents are caused by either drivers who are distracted, or a driver who is following a lead vehicle too closely. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that driver distraction is actually a more common cause of rear-end accidents than tailgating.
Drivers in Northeast Arkansas including Jonesboro, Paragould, and Craighead County need to know how they can protect themselves from becoming involved in a rear-end crash. A rear-end accident lawyer can provide representation to victims of these accidents when a motorist’s carelessness causes injury.
Prevention of Rear-End Collisions
Wheels.ca has provided some tips to try to help prevent rear-end collisions from occurring. These tips focus on responding to the dangerous behaviors of other drivers, making sure your own behavior is smart and safe and providing yourself an escape in case another driver makes dangerous choices.
You can control your own behavior and try to reduce the risk of a rear-end accident by avoiding driving while you are distracted and by not tailgating. If you are too close to the car in front of your vehicle, you aren’t going to have time to react when that driver needs to stop or when that motorist suddenly slows down. Not only do you run the risk of hitting the car in front, but you also run the risk of getting hit yourself if you end up having to slam on the brakes and the car behind you can’t stop.
Another big thing that you can do to stop a rear-end crash from happening is making sure your brake lights are working correctly and always trying to slow and stop gradually when you are approaching a signal or stop sign. Slamming on the brakes won’t give other drivers time to react, while brake lights that don’t work mean drivers aren’t going to know when you are planning to stop.
You can also reduce the chances of a crash by paying attention to what the car behind you is doing. It is a good idea to check your mirrors around every five to eight seconds to see if the driver behind you is paying attention to what you are doing. You should also check the mirrors when you approach a signal or stop sign where you need to stop. This will allow you to plan ahead in case you see that the driver behind you is texting or otherwise distracted.
If someone is tailgating or following you too closely for comfort, you can also try to pull aside in a safe space and allow them to get past you.
Finally, you can try to limit the chances that another driver’s actions will hurt you. When you come to a stop, look around for possible escape routes in case the driver approaching your vehicle doesn’t stop. Leave a few car lengths between your vehicle and the car in front when you come to a stop so you’ll have room to pull forward if needed to escape being hit.
If you were injured or a loved one died in a rear-end accident, a Jonesboro personal injury lawyer can fight to protect your rights. Contact the McDaniel Law Firm at 1-855-524-4744. Serving Northeast Arkansas including Jonesboro, Paragould, Craighead County, Lawrence County, Greene County, Mississippi County, Poinsett County and surrounding areas.
